13 Benefits of Saffron

1. Relieves Anxiety and Depression

Saffron has been known to relieve mild depression and improve mood in those who regularly consume it. The many active compounds in saffron have some effect on the endocrine system and can stimulate the release of beneficial hormones that keep us happy and healthy. For women, this same effect has also been known to act as an aphrodisiac. It has been hailed as a natural antidepressant by numerous research studies and organizations.

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2. Boosts Immunity

Although people often think of spices as nothing but food flavoring tools, they still contain high concentrations of certain important nutrients, including vitamin C. Ascorbic acid is important for human health, as it stimulates the immune system’s production of white blood cells, the body’s first line of defense against illness. It is also crucial to the production of collagen, which is necessary for cellular production in the body and contributes to wound healing, muscle growth, blood vessel repair, and tissue production.

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3. Controls Diabetes

he significant levels of manganese can help the body optimize its blood sugar levels. Diabetes is one of the most dangerous and widespread conditions in our world today, affecting millions of people globally. By regulating your blood sugar, insulin, and glucose levels, you can effectively prevent the onset of type II diabetes or manage the symptoms if you already suffer from this affliction.

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4. Increases Circulations

Saffron can function as an effective energy booster and can increase your metabolism by increasing your blood circulation. The high concentration of iron means that saffron increases your RBCs, which thereby stimulates circulation and the oxygenation of organ systems and the body’s extremities.This improves the efficiency and functionality of the tissues and organ systems for healthier metabolic activity and also prevents the symptoms of anemia.

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5. Protects Heart Health

Improving the health of the heart seems to be one of the top goals in human health today, and one simple way to do this is to increase your potassium intake. Potassium acts as a vasodilator, effectively lowering the stress and pressure on blood vessels and arteries, allowing blood pressure to decrease and relieving strain on the cardiovascular system. This can prevent things like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes from occurring.

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6. Improves Nerve Function

The vitamin B family is one that is often overlooked in human health, but it plays a major role in nerve function throughout the body. More specifically, the high content of vitamin B6 found in saffron spice can help our nervous system in running smoothly and prevent some of the deadly and dangerous disorders that arise from poor nervous system function. 

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7. Reduces Stomach Disorders

One of the oldest and most well-known uses of saffron is for upset stomachs and excess flatulence. The sedative and anti-inflammatory nature of saffron help calm the stomach and reduce inflammation, which eases things like constipation, bloating, cramping, and other serious conditions like gastric ulcers. It helps to suppress appetite, resulting in weight loss.

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8. Improves Vision

Macular degeneration, America’s leading cause of blindness, is an age-related condition caused by degenerating cells in an area of the eye known as the macula. Crocin and crocheting found in saffron can help prevent cell damage and delay age-related decline to the cells of the eye as a whole.

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9. Fight Cancer

Saffron contains a plethora of antioxidants that ramp up its cancer-fighting protections. Antioxidants are integral for preventing cells known as free radicals from compromising healthy cells or mutating into dangerous cancerous cells. By neutralizing these free radicals, antioxidants may be able to prevent the development of some cancers or prevent cancerous cells from spreading. Studies suggest that saffron could prevent the growth of tumors. In addition, this refreshing spice can also provide nutritional support to patients who are going through chemotherapy. With a growing body of research that supports this theory, people should definitely add saffron to their diets.

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10.  Alzheimer 

Meanwhile, in Japan, it is encapsulated and is used for treating memory loss and Parkinson’s disease. Crocin helps prevent age-related mental degradation such as Alzheimer’s disease.

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11. Benefit Skin

Antioxidants present in it has anti-aging properties; thus, keeping the skin supple and radiant. Topical application of saffron can also whiten the skin, prevent acne, and fade scars, dark spots, and other skin blemishes. Saffron also has vitamin B2 which helps to heal chapped lips.

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12. Asthma

An evaluation of the effects of saffron supplementation on the asthma clinical symptoms and asthma severity in patients with mild and moderate persistent allergic asthma: a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30795753

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13. Improvement in Sleep

A saffron intake was associated with improvements in sleep quality in adults with self-reported sleep compliant. Based on data collected from 55 participants, saffron was associated with greater improvements in ISI total score (p=.017), RSQ total score (p=.029), and PSD sleep quality ratings (p=.014) than the placebo. Saffron intake was well-tolerated with no reported adverse effects.

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Word of Caution: Consuming saffron in high doses can be potentially dangerous, as the high concentration of active ingredients can have a range of effects on the body. However, in small doses (such as in meals or in pill supplement form), saffron is not known to have any common side effects or allergenic properties. Some side effects that have been reported include dry mouth, dizziness, nausea, anxiety, fatigue, and appetite changes, but these are rare. As always, consult a medical professional or trained herbalist before adding a powerful new element to your herbal regimen.

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